On July 1, the UF Lastinger Center for Learning renewed its four-year commitment to Massachusetts early learning professionals for six additional years.
Alongside partners like UMass Boston and the Children’s Literacy Institute, the Early Childhood Support Organization (ESCO) Initiative supports professional development, streamlines learning, and improves education and leadership skills.
By partnering with the UF Lastinger Center, Massachusetts early learning professionals gain access to Flamingo Early Learning online coursework and Communities of Practice (CoPs). Throughout their time in the program, participants learn together and work to collaboratively discuss education goals and outcomes.
What is a CoP?
A Community of Practice (CoP) is a group of individuals who share a common goal and passion or profession striving to improve practices or outcomes. In education, CoPs come together regularly to share best practices, address problems of practice and reflect and collaborate to develop new knowledge to improve outcomes.
Since joining the initiative in 2020, the UF Lastinger Center’s offering of the Flamingo Early Learning professional learning system has expanded to three cohorts, 27 programs, 85 program leaders and 300 educators in Massachusetts.Through this expansive and culturally diverse user base, the Center continues to find solutions for early childhood education problems.
3 cohorts
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27 programs
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85 program leaders
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300 educators
“In Massachusetts, we often work with children and families who speak Portuguese, Mandarin and/or Spanish,” said Early Learning Implementation Manager Ron Viafore. “It behooves us to understand the communities in which we provide services and work together to decide on a path forward for professional learning.”
Supported by the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) and nonprofit New Profit, the UF Lastinger Center’s Flamingo Early Learning team helps foster connections between the state and individual educators through program leaders and coaches.
”Our commitment is to provide on-site educator and leadership coaching to develop quality programming and supports for the early childhood professional,” Viafore said.
In addition to supporting Massachusetts early childhood educators, the initiative also provides the UF Lastinger Center crucial insight into the efficiency and impact of teaching resources and programs. It also serves as an opportunity to receive feedback on how its programs, like the Literacy Matrix, Communities of Practice (CoPs) and Coaching Certifications, interact in different settings.
Regardless if the Center is serving Florida, Louisiana or Massachusetts, we strive for effective job embedded professional learning for early childhood educators.
“We promote the Instructional Leadership model using the tools and strategies designed at the Lastinger Center, and we see an impact in instructional practices and leadership skills, which ultimately impact child outcomes,” Viafore said.
If you would like to learn more about the UF Lastinger Center’s involvement in Massachusetts, please contact Ron Viafore at rviafore@coe.ufl.edu.